Yaz Tablet

Yaz Tablet is a combined oral contraceptive pill containing two active ingredients, drospirenone 3mg and ethinylestradiol 0.02mg, in a 28-tablet pack that includes 24 active hormone tablets and 4 inactive (placebo) tablets. It is used to prevent pregnancy by suppressing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the womb lining.

As a combined hormonal contraceptive, Yaz carries risks such as blood clots that must be weighed against a woman’s individual health history before it is prescribed, so it is a prescription-only medicine in Malaysia. It can only be obtained through DoctorOnCall after an online consultation, during which a doctor reviews your suitability, blood pressure, and medical history before issuing a prescription.

Yaz works mainly by using ethinylestradiol and drospirenone together to stop the ovaries from releasing an egg each month (ovulation), while also thickening the mucus at the entrance to the womb so sperm find it harder to reach an egg, and thinning the lining of the womb to make implantation less likely; together these actions provide highly effective contraception when the pill is taken correctly.

One tablet should be taken by mouth at approximately the same time every day, in the order printed on the blister strip, for all 28 days before starting a new pack the next day without a break; the pack contains 24 active tablets followed by 4 inactive tablets during which a withdrawal bleed usually occurs.

The standard dose is one tablet daily as prescribed, and no additional or reduced dosing should be attempted; if a dose is missed, follow the specific missed-pill instructions in the packet leaflet or seek advice from your doctor or pharmacist, as the correct action depends on how many hours late the tablet was taken and which week of the pack you are in.

Yaz Tablet should be used before the expiry date printed on the blister strip and outer carton, and should not be used once this date has passed, as its hormone content may no longer be reliable for effective contraception.

Store Yaz Tablet below 30°C in a dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children. Keep the tablets in their original blister packaging until they are due to be taken.

• Current or history of venous or arterial thromboembolism (blood clots, stroke, or heart attack)
• Known high risk of thrombosis, including certain clotting disorders
• Migraine with aura
• Severe or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• Severe liver disease or liver tumours
• Known or suspected breast or other hormone-sensitive cancer
• Undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Pregnancy or smoking heavily while aged over 35

• Enzyme-inducing medicines such as rifampicin, certain anti-epileptic drugs (carbamazepine, phenytoin), and St John’s Wort can reduce Yaz’s contraceptive effectiveness
• Some antibiotics may reduce reliability and require backup contraception
• Yaz contains drospirenone, which can raise potassium levels, so combining it with potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, or NSAIDs should be discussed with a doctor
• Certain antifungal or antiretroviral medicines may alter hormone levels
• Grapefruit juice in large amounts may affect how ethinylestradiol is processed by the body

• Take your tablet at the same time each day to maintain contraceptive protection
• Use backup contraception (such as condoms) if you vomit or have severe diarrhoea within a few hours of taking a tablet
• Do not skip the placebo (inactive) tablets — they help keep your daily habit consistent
• Smoking while taking Yaz significantly raises the risk of blood clots, especially over age 35
• Keep track of missed pills and follow the leaflet’s specific missed-pill guidance
• Attend scheduled follow-up reviews with your doctor to reassess ongoing suitability

Yaz is dispensed only with a valid prescription obtained through an online consultation with a DoctorOnCall doctor, who will review your personal and family medical history, blood pressure, and risk factors for blood clots before prescribing. Combined hormonal contraceptives are not suitable for every woman, and regular medical follow-up is recommended to monitor blood pressure and reassess suitability over time, particularly for smokers, women over 35, or those with new medical conditions since starting the pill. Yaz does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so barrier protection is still advised where relevant.